How much does it cost for a housekeeper or maid in San Miguel de Allende?
Ariadna Delsol - COLONIAL REAL ESTATE
The cost to get a gardener in San Miguel de Allende varies but usually people hire them to come three times per week or twice a week and they get paid around 250 pesos (US $12.50) per day.
How well they do their job depends on the gardener. They bring their own tools so you don’t have to provide for them. This is the beauty of living in San Miguel. A lot of expats come to Mexico, in general, because their dollars cannot buy in the States what they...
The cost to get a gardener in San Miguel de Allende varies but usually people hire them to come three times per week or twice a week and they get paid around 250 pesos (US $12.50) per day.
How well they do their job depends on the gardener. They bring their own tools so you don’t have to provide for them. This is the beauty of living in San Miguel. A lot of expats come to Mexico, in general, because their dollars cannot buy in the States what they can buy here. They cannot have the same standard of living in the US as they have here in Mexico. Expats live like kings here because they can have a maid, a cook, a nanny, and a gardener and don’t have to do anything but enjoy their time and spend it with friends while having margaritas and singing along. Mexico is just a great place to live.
(Garden in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)
What is Portugal's gun ownership policy and gun laws?
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
In order to have a gun in Portugal, you have to have a license. Foreigners can own guns in Portugal.
Most of the people who have guns in Portugal, and how gun ownership started is that the guns were for hunters for the hunting season, but there are very strict rules for that.
The actual details of what would be required to get a license to have a gun and what it would cost, I don’t know. The reason...
In order to have a gun in Portugal, you have to have a license. Foreigners can own guns in Portugal.
Most of the people who have guns in Portugal, and how gun ownership started is that the guns were for hunters for the hunting season, but there are very strict rules for that.
The actual details of what would be required to get a license to have a gun and what it would cost, I don’t know. The reason is we don’t really discuss guns very much apart from if you see on television that they’ve arrested people because of drugs or something similar. Apart from that, fortunately, at this point in time, I think when you see what’s going on in the world, we feel reasonably safe without guns.
(1934 photo of a hunter in Peralcovo, Portugal, pictured.)
What's the overall cost of living in Managua, Nicaragua?
Maria Acosta
The cost of living here in Managua has been going up. Just recently, there has been a drought, so food prices have automatically increased. Gas and oil prices have also been going up, which of course affects the prices of food and so forth. Right now, gas costs about US $5 a gallon in Managua.
Compared to the US, there are things that are less expensive here in Managua. For example, you can have help (anything from a maid, gardener or a chauffeur) here in Managua at a much...
The cost of living here in Managua has been going up. Just recently, there has been a drought, so food prices have automatically increased. Gas and oil prices have also been going up, which of course affects the prices of food and so forth. Right now, gas costs about US $5 a gallon in Managua.
Compared to the US, there are things that are less expensive here in Managua. For example, you can have help (anything from a maid, gardener or a chauffeur) here in Managua at a much lesser cost. You’ll only have to pay more or less $250 a month for full time.
In places with higher elevation like in the hills around the city, your overall cost for electricity is much less because there’s a nice breeze and you can sleep with your windows open, so you don’t need to use your air conditioner. If you only use air conditioning at night, the cost of electricity would probably be around $300 - $400 a month. However, if you are at a lower elevation, a fan won’t be enough, so you really need your air-conditioning, or it would be too hot.
From a Nicaraguan perspective, houses in Managua are a bit expensive. However, you can find less expensive housing if you get out of the city. Even the electricity and the water are less expensive in other smaller cities and towns.
Is Panama a good place for preppers to have their bugout location? Is Panama a good place for survivalists?
Paul McBride - Inside Panama Real Estate
Abundant water, good soil, lots of available land, a system of clear title and ownership are all essential ingredients for the prepper mentality. Panama has all of these things readily available. Because of the consistent amount of sunlight we receive, a variety of streams and rivers to harness hydroelectric power and areas with good wind conditions, with a lot of research and preparation it is realistic to create a fully sustainable lifestyle while living completely...
Abundant water, good soil, lots of available land, a system of clear title and ownership are all essential ingredients for the prepper mentality. Panama has all of these things readily available. Because of the consistent amount of sunlight we receive, a variety of streams and rivers to harness hydroelectric power and areas with good wind conditions, with a lot of research and preparation it is realistic to create a fully sustainable lifestyle while living completely off the grid. If you have the money to spend, are inclined to live in relative isolation, have the energy it takes to maintain a farm that produces a sufficient amount of food for you and your family and are prepared to follow the local laws and regulations, then Panama can be a viable bug out location for the serious prepper.
Here’s the thing. More than about 85% of our country of Belize has people in the twenties or younger. So you guessed it. Our nightlife is pretty much happening. We have many clubs, bars, and restaurants, etc., that anyone can go and have a great time.
However, our country isn’t that accepting of many things, being a country where basically the Catholic religion still has a lot of power. For example, you won’t be able to find strip...
Here’s the thing. More than about 85% of our country of Belize has people in the twenties or younger. So you guessed it. Our nightlife is pretty much happening. We have many clubs, bars, and restaurants, etc., that anyone can go and have a great time.
However, our country isn’t that accepting of many things, being a country where basically the Catholic religion still has a lot of power. For example, you won’t be able to find strip clubs, LGBT bars or clubs or even porn shops.
What are the things I'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad?
Ginny Ophof
Of course what you'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad depends on the country you are moving to, but if it is a developing country, than you will be surprised by how your priorities in life change, which will give you a bigger sense of freedom (example: keeping up with the Joneses and fashion trends are not as important) and you slowly feel yourself becoming more of a Free Spirit and more real. Indeed, this is a pleasant surprise that will make you and your...
Of course what you'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad depends on the country you are moving to, but if it is a developing country, than you will be surprised by how your priorities in life change, which will give you a bigger sense of freedom (example: keeping up with the Joneses and fashion trends are not as important) and you slowly feel yourself becoming more of a Free Spirit and more real. Indeed, this is a pleasant surprise that will make you and your loved ones happier.
The sun comes up in the east (even though it still seems like the south to me after all this time). The same bright sunshine that warms America warms my day here in Boquete. Night time brings bright stars and often a huge moon. No matter what phase it is in, it shines beautifully in the dark velvet skies. The same moon shines on my family and friends in America, too.
Our adventure here in Panama has been a good one. This month we get our Panamanian ID...
Living in the western end of Panama has its charm as well as its challenges. We often hear that folks miss certain products from home and many make routine treks to Panama City to take advantage of greater product availability. The truth is, there is greater variety in Panama City than in smaller cities and towns. This is often the case in more urban areas. But here in Chiriqui, if you look around long enough you are usually able to find most of what of you need in...
One of the wonderful advantages of living in Panamá is the variety of lifestyles and environments in this small country. Think of California on a smaller scale. You can live in one of the Pacific Coast beach communities, in the cool highlands of El Valle or Boquete, the islands of Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean side, in a country home in the interior, or in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. When my wife and I first moved...